SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5047

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Saling and Johnson)

Issuing special license plates to spouses of deceased POW's.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 27, 1987; February 3, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5047 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Johnson, Nelson, Patterson, Sellar, Smitherman, von Reichbauer, West.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  April 8, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 26, 1987

BACKGROUND:

People currently receiving special free license plates include permanently disabled veterans and Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.  Special license plates which may be purchased from the Department include license plates for (1) vehicles more than 30 years old, (2) amateur radio operators, (3) handicapped persons meeting certain criteria, and (4) personalized license plates.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Licensing shall issue a set of special vehicle license plates to the surviving spouse of any deceased former prisoner of war for use on a passenger vehicle.  The plates shall be issued free of charge, and may be transferred to another vehicle registered to the surviving spouse in the same manner as the transfer of a personalized license plate.

The Director of the Department of Licensing shall approve the distinctive design of the special plate.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Saling, sponsor; Sandra Brooks, Department of Licensing

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

In order to qualify for the POW license plate, the surviving spouse must have been married to the deceased former prisoner of war during the period of his or her incarceration.

The prerequisites for a disabled veteran to receive a free license plate is modified to allow the Department of Licensing to accept proof of a service-connected disability rating from the military service from which the veteran was discharged, in lieu of proof from the Veterans Administration.